POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Mechanical Estimator (Refrigeration & HVAC) is responsible for developing accurate estimates and customer-facing proposals for commercial refrigeration and HVAC replacement, retrofit, capital improvement, service, and construction projects.
This role evaluates labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor costs, and project risks while partnering with Operations, Project Management, and customers to develop competitive, profitable solutions. Projects may include supermarkets, grocery stores, retail facilities, warehouses, restaurants, higher education, hospitals, and general commercial facilities.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Estimating & Project Evaluation
- Develop detailed estimates for refrigeration and HVAC replacements, retrofits, remodels, capital projects, and new installations.
- Review drawings, specifications, scopes of work, equipment schedules, bid documents, and customer requirements to define project scope and pricing.
- Perform labor, material, equipment, and subcontractor takeoffs and develop accurate project cost projections.
- Solicit, evaluate, and compare vendor and subcontractor quotations.
- Identify project risks, scope gaps, constructability concerns, and cost impacts.
- Conduct site visits, field investigations, project walkthroughs, and pre-bid meetings as needed.
- Prepare ROM, budgetary, conceptual, and detailed estimates and update pricing based on project revisions and market conditions.
Proposal Development
- Prepare customer-facing proposals including scope, pricing, assumptions, exclusions, and qualifications.
- Develop value-engineering recommendations and alternative solutions that support customer and business objectives.
- Present estimates and proposals to internal stakeholders and customers as required.
Operations & Project Support
- Partner with Operations, Project Management, Purchasing, and Finance to validate labor assumptions, schedules, resource requirements, and execution plans.
- Participate in estimate reviews, project handoff meetings, and project turnover activities.
- Support pricing for change orders, project modifications, and additional work opportunities.
Business Support
- Maintain estimating records, pricing databases, cost histories, and supporting documentation.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, vendors, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders.
- Stay current on HVAC and refrigeration technologies, industry trends, and estimating best practices.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
- Minimum 7 years of experience in commercial refrigeration, HVAC, mechanical contracting, construction estimating, project management, field operations, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience independently preparing estimates for commercial refrigeration and/or HVAC projects.
- Strong understanding of commercial refrigeration systems, HVAC equipment, installation methods, materials, and construction practices.
- Experience supporting replacement, retrofit, remodel, capital improvement, service, and new construction projects.
- Ability to manage multiple estimates and deadlines with minimal supervision.
- Experience working within a union labor environment, including familiarity with labor classifications, wage rates, productivity expectations, and labor agreements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting supermarket, grocery, retail, restaurant, warehouse, industrial, or other multi-site commercial facilities.
- Experience with CO₂ refrigeration systems, rack systems, piping, controls, and leak detection technologies.
- Experience developing customer-facing proposals and value-engineering recommendations.
- Experience supporting national accounts or multi-site programs.
- Bluebeam experience preferred.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to identify project risks, scope gaps, and cost impacts.
- Ability to present technical information clearly and professionally.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to balance technical, operational, and financial considerations.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
Travel Requirements
- Approximately 50% travel for customer meetings, site walks, pre-bid meetings, field investigations, and project reviews.
- Travel throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, with additional travel as business needs require.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Combination of office, customer-site, construction-site, and field environments. Frequent sitting, standing, walking, and computer use. Site visits may require walking through active construction areas, mechanical rooms, rooftops, warehouses, supermarkets, and other commercial facilities. Appropriate PPE must be worn when required.
ABOUT CITY FM
City Facilities Management (US) LLC is a leader in end-to-end integrated facilities management for some of the top retailers and grocers across the nation. Through our unparalleled self-performance team of highly skilled technicians, customer service gurus, energy experts and more, City FM delivers exceptional service quality and cost savings using a holistic, data-driven approach to facilities management.
With offices in Jacksonville, FL and Burlington, MA since 2016, City FM is part of the GDI Ainsworth family founded 90 years ago. Ainsworth is Canada’s leading integrated multi-trade services provider with over 4,000 team members across US and Canada.
WHY SHOULD YOU WORK AT CITY FM?
City FM is part of a global network of leading facilities management, professional services, and data-driven sustainability solutions, for starters. Also, we offer a generous benefits package that includes 28 days of PTO along with a 401(k) match with immediate vesting and company match.
We don’t just hire anyone at City FM; we’re looking for loyal team members with a deep sense of responsibility and a thirst for constant learning and growth with a willingness to always lend a helping hand.
When you join City FM, you’re committing to making a difference. We make a commitment to you too – helping you embark on a career with purpose! Whether through our world-class training programs, over 1,500 e-learning classes through City University or Leadership Development framework – City FM cares passionately about the people we hire and ensures that growth is always on the horizon.
Wondering if your values align with ours? If you put clients first, care passionately about what you do and are committed to working on a team that respects each other, you will fit right in!
So, if you’re ready to get started, we’re ready for you.
City FM is An Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer. The Company has a Drug-Free Workplace Policy in effect that is strictly adhered to.
